Resources

Integrative Oncology

The Mass General Cancer Center at Cooley Dickinson Hospital is pleased to introduce our Integrative Oncology program, currently offering oncology massage and Reiki. These services have been shown to promote overall health and wellness by reducing pain, relaxing muscles, and improving mobility. They may also relieve symptoms such as anxiety, depression, fatigue, and many treatment-related side effects associated with chemotherapy or radiation. This program is designed to provide compassion, safety and healing throughout your cancer treatment.

Our goal is to enhance quality of life and help manage a broad range of physical and emotional symptoms. Our providers are committed to helping you find clinically appropriate treatment tailored to your needs. These integrative practitioners receive specialized training, and are certified by the most respected authorities in their fields. Services are available to anyone receiving cancer treatment at the Mass General Cancer Center at Cooley Dickinson Hospital.

Our Vision:

To provide compassionate healing throughout your cancer treatment.

Therapies

Oncology Massage

Cooley Dickinson is pleased to offer Oncology massage, which uses modified massage techniques to work with effects of cancer and cancer treatment. Our massage therapist uses adaptations based on an educated understanding of cancer to safely nurture the body and spirit.

Clinical research shows massage can improve some cancer treatment side effects.

Massage benefits can include:

Reduced pain and fatigue

Decreased anxiety

Less nausea

Improved sleep

Eased isolation

Enhanced body image

Greater sense of well-being

Your therapist will inquire about your cancer diagnosis and treatment to provide you with the most approriate session. Adaptations to pressure and positiong are common, but unique for each individual. You will be given an opportunity to create a plan together with your therapist based on your intentions and changing needs. We strive to provide personalized, individually targeted therapy.

Reiki

Reiki is a gentle healing technique based on the principle that the practitioner can channel energy into the patient by means of touch, to activate the natural healing processes of the patient’s body and restore physical and emotional well-being. Those who receive Reiki often find it to be a deeply relaxing and pleasant experience, with your Reiki practitioner working in concert with your intentions and specific needs.

Benefits of Reiki – Reiki works holistically to bring healing to the body, mind and spirit. Some of the benefits include:

Deep relaxation, release of stress and tension

Helps protect and fortify healthy tissues during radiation therapy

Reduces some of the side effects of medications and helps the body to recover from drug therapy after surgery and chemotherapy

Reduces nausea, cramping and constipation

Pain relief and management

Helps with anxiety and depression

Supports the immune system

Increases vitality

Acceleration of the body’s self-healing abilities

Improved sleep quality

Reduces blood pressure and aids circulation

Assists the body in clearing toxins

How is a Reiki Treatment performed?
You and your practitioner will have the opportunity to set intentions and goals to determine what areas to work on. Reiki is performed with the patient or client fully clothed and in a relaxed position while the practitioner works on specific areas, either off-body or with gentle touch. In Reiki there is no physical manipulation of tissues, making it suitable for everyone. During the treatment, most people experience warmth and tingling, typically finding Reiki to be a very enjoyable experience.

Integrative Oncology services are available by referral and free to all patients receiving cancer treatment at the Mass General Cancer Center at Cooley Dickinson Hospital.

To schedule an appointment for any of these services, speak to your nurse or a member of your care team, or call 413-582-2900.

Therapists

Kyle Ricci, RM-T has been deeply involved in healing and energy therapy since he began studying Reiki in 1998. Since then, he has been refining and deepening his understanding and practice of the technique, always searching for new ways to shape and grow his practice. Kyle received his Reiki Master-Teacher certification for the Usui/Tibetan Method of Healing in 2007, after a nine-year apprenticeship of dedicated study and exploration.

Kyle has been seeing clients and teaching in western Massachusetts for the past 8 years, cultivating his private practice with the goal of empowering everyone on their own healing journey. He is a strong believer in daily compassion, and has been a volunteer on the Reiki Team for Cancer Connection in Northampton, Mass. for over a decade and began providing Reiki sessions for those affected by cancer as an integrative therapist in 2015. Over the years, Kyle has had the opportunity to cultivate his knowledge and hone his skills, working with cancer patients and those seeking treatment for emotional and spiritual healing.

“Our sorrows and wounds are healed only when we touch them with compassion.” – Anonymous

Lisa Gallauresi, LMT has been a medical massage therapist and educator for almost 20 years. Over the course of her career, she has worked at Crouse Hospital in Syracuse, New York and within medical offices and clinics in both New York and Massachusetts. A graduate of the Onondaga School of Therapeutic Massage and Binghamton University, she has been on the faculty at massage schools in both states, teaching and developing curricula. Lisa has had a life-long interest in the healing power of the mind/body, and studied yoga, meditation and philosophy in India in conjunction with the State University of New York in 1994. She has been a consultant and instructor at Kripalu Yoga Center and continues to learn everyday from the people she is honored to serve through healing touch. Her goal is to create a space of comfort and support so that healing can occur on many levels.